Jay Z Responds to Critics Over Barneys Controversy

Jay Z has defended his collaboration with the luxury store Barneys New York after it was accused of racial profiling. Hov was criticized for remaining silent as news surfaced this week that two African American teenagers said they were profiled by Barneys after they purchased expensive items from their Manhattan store. Nineteen-year-old Trayon Christian made headlines nationwide after being arrested following a purchase of a $350 belt at the Madison Avenue store in Manhattan, NYC. Twenty-one-year-old Kayla Phillips made news after having a similar encounter shortly after purchasing a $2,500 bag. An online petition and Twitter messages from fans have been circulating this week, calling on Jay to bow out of his upcoming partnership with Barneys for the holiday season, which will have the store selling items by top designers inspired by Jay Z, with some of the proceeds going to his charity. The rap mogul took to his Life+Times website and released a statement:

“This collaboration lives in a place of giving and is about the Foundation. I am not making a dime from this collection; I do not stand to make millions, as falsely reported. I need to make that fact crystal clear. The Shawn Carter Foundation is the beneficiary and the foundation is receiving 25% of all sales from the collaboration, 10% of all sales generated in the store on November 20th and an additional donation from Barneys. This money is going to help individuals facing socio-economic hardships to help further their education at institutions of higher learning. My idea was born out of creativity and charity… not profit.

I move and speak based on facts and not emotion. I haven’t made any comments because I am waiting on facts and the outcome of a meeting between community leaders and Barneys. Why am I being demonized, denounced and thrown on the cover of a newspaper for not speaking immediately? The negligent, erroneous reports and attacks on my character, intentions, and the spirit of this collaboration have forced me into a statement I didn’t want to make without the full facts. Making a decision prematurely to pull out of this project, wouldn’t hurt Barneys or Shawn Carter, but all the people that stand a chance at higher education. I have been working with my team ever since the situation was brought to my attention to get to the bottom of these incidents and at the same time find a solution that doesn’t harm all those that stand to benefit from this collaboration.

I am against discrimination of any kind, but if I make snap judgements, no matter who it’s towards, aren’t I committing the same sin as someone who profiles? I am no stranger to being profiled and I truly empathize with anyone that has been put in that position. Hopefully this brings forth a dialogue to effect real change. – Shawn “JAY Z” Carter.”